Fireproof floor and ceiling slab.



AU 291 EX Patented Oct. 3, I899.

G. FUGMAN.

FIREPRODF FLOOR AND CEILING SLAB.

(Application filed Mar. 18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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PATENT OFFICE.

FIREPRQOF FLOOR AND CEILING SLAB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,262, dated October 3, 1899.

Application tiled March 13,1899. Serial No. 708,881. (No model.

To all (client if mng concern.-

lle it known that I, GODFREY FUGMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and use-- ful Improvement in Fireproof Floor and Ceiling Slabs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide, for use in the construction of fireproof floors and ceilings, a composite slab of concrete and metal which shall be of an el'ficient shape, strong, and well ventilated. The invention maybe summarized as a slab having some or all of these characteristics, as hereinafter described, and definitely set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure is a perspective view of one of the composite slabs which is adapted to be used as a unit of construction for fireproof lloors and ceilings. Fig. 1? is an enlarged longitudinal section of a part of one of the slabs, and Fig. 33 is a perspective view of the kind of expanded metal which is most :ulvantageously used for the construction of such slabs.

Referring to the parts by letters, A reprcity of parallel rows of straps h, which straps are alternately bent in opposite directions,

sents a slab of concrete or mortar or like material, and 1) represents the metal which is embedded in the same to reinforce it and give it the necessary strength. The metal employed for the purpose is preferably a sheet of expanded metal, which is placed about midway between the top and bottom surface of the slab. The concrete when plastic is forced through the holes in the metal, whereby the concrete layers above and below the metal are firmly united when the concrete hardens. In other words, the slab in its best form is composed of mortar or concrete or like material with a sheet of expanded metal embedded in it about midway between the top and bottom surfaces thereof. In the construction which will be found most useful the ends (.1 U of the slab are turned down at a suitable angle, substantially as shown in Fig. 1, whereby these ends are adapted to rest upon the lower flanges of the supportingbeams, while what may be called the bottom of the slab maybe at or about the level of the top of said beams.

These slabs may be constructed in suitable molds and under suitable pressure, and a convenient method for constructing such slabs is to first lay the bottom layer of concrete in the mold, to then place the expanded metal sheet upon it, and then to cover said sheet with concrete of the proper thickness, and finally to close the mold and apply the desired pressure. \Vhen the mortar or concrete employed has hardened, the composite slab becomes an article of merchandise capable of being handled and transported as a unit, and it may then be lifted and placed with its ends resting upon the supporting-beams without the necessity for using any false work or centering to temporarily support it. Preferably these slabs are made about three feet in width and of such length asadapt them to rest upon the beams provided to support them.

It is believed that the form of expanded metal shown in Fig. 13 is best for the described use, because when such metal is used the slabs may, without sensibly weakening them, be made with 'entilating-holes D, extending transversely thereof. As shown in Fig. I, the expanded metal is formed by slitting a suitable sheet of metal so as to make a pluralsubstantially as shown.

In constructing the slab having the ventilating-holes D removable cores will be placed between the oppositely-bent straps before the top layer of concrete is laid; but after the concrete has hardened snfliciently, but before it gets too hard, these cores are drawn out endwisc, leaving the holes as shown.

Having described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters latent--- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a composite slab, capable of use as a unit for con struction of fireproof floors and ceilings, consisting of hardened concrete, mortar or the like, having embedded in it, about midway between its upper and lower surfaces, a sheet of expanded metal, said slab having an upper surface which is a plane and having its edges bent sharply down at an angle, and the lower surface of said edges being substantially a plane whereby the edges may rest on the lower flanges 0f I-beams and the upper surface extend horizontally substantially filling the space between the upper flanges of said beams, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufitcture, a composite slab, capable of use as a unit for the construction of tireproof floors and ceilings, composed of hardened concrete, mortar or the like, having embedded in it about midway between its upper and lower surfaces a sheet of expanded metal, and having also Ventilatlug-holes extending transversely from one side to the other of said slab, substantially as specified.

3. As a new article of man nfacture, a composite slab, adapted for use as a unit for the construction of fireproof floors and ceilings,

composed of hardened concrete, mortar or the like, and baring embedded in it about midway between its upper and lower surfaces a sheet of expanded metal which is slitted in parallel rows whereby straps are formed, which straps are alternately bent in opposite directions and ventilating-holes extending from one side to the other of the slab and passing between the tnipositely-llent straps, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. GODFREY I lltUlAN. \Vitnesses:

E. L. 'lnL'ns'roN, PHILIP E. Kxownrox 

